April 30, 2025 (Des Moines, IA) — Lt. Governor Cournoyer and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) announced the 2025 Governor’s Arts Awards in a presentation at the Iowa State Capitol yesterday.
Administered by IEDA’s Iowa Arts Council, the biennial awards recognize outstanding individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the arts in Iowa. IEDA selected 10 individuals and organizations for recognition in seven categories from more than 90 nominations.
2025 Governor’s Arts Awardees
Arts Learning Award
Arts Share program in Iowa City was honored for its exceptional work in bringing performance, teaching and creative practice to communities. Arts Share has reached more than 10,000 K-12 students and 4,000 community members across Iowa over the last two years.
Arts Legacy Award
Craig Ihnen of West Des Moines served as executive director of the Iowa High School Speech Association for nearly three decades and was honored for his lifelong dedication to fostering artistic expression and excellence in speech and performing arts education.
Arts Champion Awards
The City of Bondurant was recognized for its commitment to integrating the arts into community development. Tom Lacina of Grinnell was honored for his leadership in advancing the Grinnell Area Arts Council as a volunteer and board member.
Arts Service Award
The Sioux City Art Center was honored for its Razzle Dazzle project, which engaged hundreds of local volunteers and transformed the building’s architecture into a vibrant, community-driven artwork that attracted new visitors in fall 2024.
Emerging Arts Leaders
Siriaco “Siri” Garcia of Des Moines was honored for his contributions to the visual arts and community engagement through the creation of more than 40 murals across Central Iowa. Akwi Nji of Cedar Rapids was recognized for her leadership in multidisciplinary arts and storytelling and collaborations with cultural and civic organizations across the state.
Heritage Awards
Seso Marentes of Des Moines was honored for his dedication to preserving and sharing cultural heritage through the arts. The Appanoose County History Stitchers were recognized for their work maintaining and celebrating Iowa’s quilting traditions through a decade-long project that celebrates the region’s history and culture.
Film and Media Award
Iowa City’s FilmScene, Iowa’s largest non-profit cinema, was acknowledged for its contributions in cultivating a vibrant film culture in the state through educational programs, partnerships and an annual film festival.
“These awardees exemplify the passion, creativity and leadership that drive Iowa’s arts community forward,” said David Schmitz, director of the Iowa Arts Council. “Their work enriches our state, inspires our communities and ensures that the arts continue to thrive for future generations.”
The Governor’s Arts Awards are a longstanding Iowa Arts Council program first presented in the early 1970s. Over the decades, the awards have been presented to leading Iowa arts organizations, educators, community volunteers and arts patrons. For more information on the Governor’s Arts Awards and the Iowa Arts Council, visit opportunityiowa.gov.
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